WINTEE TEEATMENT SEPTEMBEE AND OCTOBEE. 27 



in summer. This partial cessation of moisture in dark, un- 

 genial weather gives a kind of rest even to such species, enabling 

 them to start into vigorous growth in spring, and flower more 

 abundantly. The grower must be content with these general 

 instructions on this important subject of watering in winter. 

 Experience and observation must guide him as to the particular 

 time to cease giving water to the plants when going to rest. 

 With these few preliminary remarks on watering, I now proceed 

 as I did on summer treatment, to give a calendarial monthly 

 account of work to be done in the Orchid-house in winter, com- 

 mencing with 



SEPTEMBEE. In this month we have often cold nights : hence 

 it is necessary to look in the early part of the month and see 

 that the fireplace and hot-water pipes are in good order. When 

 the thermometer out of doors indicates 45 in the morning, light 

 ths fire and raise the internal heat to 60 without sun, and 65 

 with sun. Let the fire die out at night, so that the heat may be 

 lowest during the night. Shading may now be dispensed with. 

 Let the blinds be taken down and stored away in a dry room. 

 Give air only when the sun shines, and attend to syringing and 

 watering as directed above. 



OCTOBEE. The general stock of plants should now have 

 perfected their annual growth. Many of the Dendrobii will be 

 shedding their leaves ou the perfected bulbs. These leaves 

 should be removed as they ripen and decay to prevent mouldi- 

 ness. All plants in that state should be removed to a cooler 

 house to induce perfect rest. Calanthe vestita and some others 

 will be in flower, and such ought to be kept dry on the foliage and 

 flowers, but moist at the roots. See that the roots of Cycnoches 

 and allied genera are in a dry state, or they will perish and thus 

 weaken the next year's growth. In this month collect soils, 

 such as fibry peat, both with and without sand, sphagnum 

 moss, cowdung, turfy loam, dried leaves, &c. ; also, break pot- 

 sherds, make hooked pegs, and order new pots if needed, so 

 that when all these articles are wanted they may be ready at 



